In the past I have used lower rpm polishers for car work. Looking at buying something new. Will the PC 7424 cust like a regular "wheel" with a wool pad on it ? I also want to use it to do boats and other things that generally need a little more bite to get the polish level up.

Or do I need to invest in two different pieces ?

To simply answer your question: No.

A Porter Cable 7424 will not generate the heat that a rotary buffer will. It is used to remove minor defects from paint which cannot be removed by hand, yet can't generate enough heat to burn the paint. The only way you can burn the paint is on the highest speed with a wool pad, so it MIGHT work on fiberglass gelcoat with a wool pad and compound. Can't hurt to give it a try, right? :cool

Nope, buy a rotary if you have to do cutting work. The PC just won't generate the speed to do it quickly.

How different is this porter cable unit from those larger 8-10" buffer units that most of the auto parts stores sell ?

Like this http://pictures.macrosysinc.net/rsw/180618/6622A.jpg

How different is this porter cable unit from those larger 8-10" buffer units that most of the auto parts stores sell ?

Like this http://pictures.macrosysinc.net/rsw/180618/6622A.jpg

Well, off the top of my head. Higher speed, better motor, variable speed, better orbital motion, better power so it doesn't bog.

About a $100 better. :)

Seriously, the PC pad rotates on the shaft and the shaft travels in a circle that is maybe a half of an inch in radius. So was you use the PC the pad moves in a random pattern. So it's pretty hard to damage the paint with a PC.

About a $100 better. :)

Seriously, the PC pad rotates on the shaft and the shaft travels in a circle that is maybe a half of an inch in radius. So was you use the PC the pad moves in a random pattern. So it's pretty hard to damage the paint with a PC.
I think it would be more accurate to say the pad 'free-wheels' on the shaft.

How different is this porter cable unit from those larger 8-10" buffer units that most of the auto parts stores sell ?

Like this http://pictures.macrosysinc.net/rsw/180618/6622A.jpg


Before my pC, I used to have that Craftsman unit. Let me tell you.. the difference between those two is at least as different as a PC is from a Rotary!!!!!

Whereas the PC can actually repair paint problems, all I ever found the Sears unit good for was applying and removing chemicals. It just didnt have enough strength to do much in the way of 'fixin' stuff. While the PC wont fix bad defects that only a rotary can, it will still be able to do some repairs for you, using the right pad and chemical. Id say the PC is teh strongest unit you can use that will actually do some good, WITHOUT getting you into any trouble.